Everything is getting weird and awesome with yoyo designs these days! For years now, various companies have experimented with free-spinning components…from YoYoFactory‘s hubstacks to some truly interesting designs from Auldey, YoYoJam, and most recently YOYO.Y’s V5 Catch parts. And it’s those V5 Catch parts that have led to this latest bit of “wait, what?” from YoYoFactory.

The Nine Dragons is the yoyo we were teased back in 2007-2008 under the name “Revolution #9” back when YoYoFactory was really pushing their “Project Red Alert”, which was an ongoing initiative for them to create innovative (or just downright cheeky) yoyos separate from their main product line. From the old Project Red Alert blog:

Interesting, then, that it took a Chinese company to help YoYoFactory bring this one to market. Through a collaboration with Chen Jialin from YOYO.Y, Revolution #9 has a new name, an improved design, and it’s finally available.

The idea of the Nine Dragons is relatively simple to understand, regardless of how complicated it is to produce. The main body of the yoyo is covered by a POM shell that spins independently of the rest of the the yoyo. It’s not a revolutionary concept (well, not anymore…back in 2007 this was basically science fiction) but the implementation here is the most interesting thing, along with the fact that YoYoFactory is the first major company to really put a push into this technology that includes competition-specific promotion. In the video above, Ben McPhee announces that beginning this weekend at California States, YoYoFactory will be hosting and promoting “9A Divisions” to specifically foster the unique tricks that can be created with a Nine Dragons.

So, a unique competition division coupled with an interesting and readily available product at only an $80 retail seems like a great combination of things that could lead to some legitimately fun developments in yoyo contests.

The Nine Dragons was offered early to members of the YoYoFactory Dream email list (ordered mine!), will have a limited pre-release at Cal States this weekend, and should be available at retailers fairly soon after that. Expected retail price is around $80 USD. Check out YoYoFactory’s FAQ on the Nine Dragons HERE.

Big news in the Asian yoyo scene! Benson Fok (2012-2014 1A China National Champ / 2012, 2013, 2015 1A Hong Kong Champ) has left Something by YoYoAddict and joined new Chinese brand YOYO.Y. I caught up with Benson on Facebook and he had this to say about the switch:

YOYO.Y is a new company in China. I hope i can try my best to improve the level of yoyoing in China and bring them as a main spot in the world in the future.

Check out this announcement video, also featuring new YOYO.Y team member Ju Zi Liang (2015 5A China National Champion).